Golf Club Attachment

ABSTRACT

A golf club attachment. The golf club attachment includes a housing having an open upper end, an open lower end, and at least one sidewall extending therebetween to define an interior volume. The interior volume can receive a handle of a golf club therein. A grip is affixed to the housing, wherein the grip extends perpendicularly away from the housing at the open lower end. A strap is affixed to the housing at the open upper end, wherein the strap can removably secure the housing to an arm of a user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/534359 filed on Jul. 19, 2017. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf club attachment. Specifically,the present invention relates to a golf club attachment having a gripextending therefrom, such that a golf club can be operated with onehand.

Many people enjoy playing golf, however some individuals cannot feasiblyplay golf due to a variety of reasons, such as injuries to their arms,including amputation, or a lack of mobility preventing the individualfrom adequately swinging a golf club. Golf typically requires two arms,each having an adequate range of motion to allow a user to properlyswing the golf club at a sufficient strength and accuracy to drive thegolf ball in a desired range and direction. This prevents many peoplesuffering such injuries or lack of mobility from playing golf. Previousdevices in the field focus on providing ergonomic grips for golf clubsor gripping devices for a prosthesis, however these devices fail toprovide a user with a grip allowing the user to swing a golf club with asingle arm. Additionally, these devices require the user to purchase newequipment to be utilized, leading to increased expense. Therefore, adevice removably securable to an existing golf club that allows a userto swing the golf club with a single arm is desired.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted thatthe present invention substantially diverges in design elements from theknown art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the artfor an improvement to existing golf club attachments. In this regard,the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofgolf club attachments now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a golf club attachment wherein the same can beutilized for providing convenience for the user when swinging a golfclub with a single hand.

The present system comprises a housing having an open upper end, an openlower end, and at least one sidewall extending therebetween defining aninterior volume, wherein the interior volume is configured to receive ahandle of a golf club therein. A grip is affixed to the housing, whereinthe grip extends perpendicularly away from the housing at the open lowerend. The golf club attachment further comprises a strap affixed to thehousing at the open upper end, wherein the strap is configured toremovably secure the housing to an arm of a user. In some embodiments,the golf club attachment comprises an opening disposed on the sidewall,wherein the opening extends from the open upper end to the open lowerend and is configured to receive the handle of the golf clubtherethrough. In another embodiment, the opening is disposed oppositethe grip. In other embodiments, the housing comprises a C-shaped member,wherein the housing is configured to removably secure the handle of thegolf club therein via friction fit. In yet another embodiment, the golfclub attachment further comprises a shroud affixed to the open upper endof the housing, wherein an interior surface of the shroud is configuredto rest flush against the arm of the user. In some embodiments, theshroud comprises a curved shape configured to conform to the about thearm of the user. In another embodiment, the shroud tapers from a top endof the shroud towards a bottom end of the shroud. In other embodiments,the interior surface comprises padding. In yet another embodiment, thestrap is adjustable in length. In some embodiments, the grip tapers froma distal end thereof towards a proximal end thereof. In anotherembodiment, the grip comprises a material having a coefficient offriction greater than one. In other embodiments, the grip comprises acushioned surface thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf clubattachment.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf clubattachment affixed to a golf club.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf clubattachment in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the golf club attachment. The figures are intended forrepresentative purposes only and should not be considered to be limitingin any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the golf club attachment. The golf club attachment 11comprises a housing 12, wherein the housing 12 includes an open upperend 13 and an open lower end 14. At least one sidewall 15 extendsbetween the open upper end 13 and the open lower end 14, such that aninterior volume 16 is defined thereby. The interior volume 16 isconfigured to receive a handle (shown in FIG. 2, 17) of a golf club(shown in FIG. 2, 29) therein, wherein the open upper end 13 and theopen lower end 14 allow the handle to extend therethrough. The interiorvolume 16 is sized such that the diameter thereof is within a closetolerance of the diameter of the handle, such that the housing 12 doesnot rotate about the handle or slide therealong when in use. In theillustrated embodiment, the housing 12 further comprises an opening 21,wherein the opening 21 is configured to receive the handle therethrough,such that the handle is received within the interior volume 16. Further,in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 12 comprises a C-shapedmember having a uniform width, wherein the opening 21 extends from theopen upper end 13 towards the open lower end 14, thereby defining a gapbetween opposing ends of the sidewall 15, such that the housing 12 isconfigured to removably secure to the handle via friction fit. In analternate embodiment, the width of the C-shaped member tapers from theopen upper end 13 towards the open lower end 14, such that the C-shapedmember is configured to removably secure to a handle of a golf clubhaving a similar tapered shape. In some embodiments, the opening 21 isdisposed opposite a grip 18, such that the forces of swinging a golfclub are directed along a plane perpendicular to the opening 21 and intothe sidewall 15, thereby preventing the forces of the swing fromdislodging the housing 12 from the golf club. In the illustratedembodiment, the housing 12 comprises a rigid material, such that theopening 21 is configured to marginally increase in diameter to receivethe golf club handle therethrough. In this way, the opening 21 isconfigured to return to the initial resting position after the handle isinserted therethrough, such that the handle is removably secured withinthe housing 12. In some embodiments, the housing 12 comprises a unitaryfiberglass material, such that the housing 12 is resilient andlightweight for easy transport.

A grip 18 is affixed to the housing 12 and extends perpendicularly awayfrom the housing 12 at the open lower end 14. The grip 18 is configuredto provide a gripping surface for a user when the golf club attachment11 is removably affixed to a golf club, allowing the user to swing thegolf club with a single hand. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip 18tapers towards a proximal end 27 of the grip 18 and a distal end 26 ofthe grip 18, such that the grip 18 provides an ergonomic grippingsurface, allowing increased control and comfort to the user. In analternate embodiment, a first side of the grip 18 is substantiallylevel, whereas an opposing side of the grip 18 tapers towards theproximal end 27. In some embodiments, the grip 18 further comprises amaterial having a coefficient of friction greater than one, therebyallowing the user to maintain a secure hold on the grip 18. In anotherembodiment, the grip 18 comprises padding thereon to provide acomfortable cushioned gripping surface to the user. In an alternateembodiment, the grip 18 is removably secured to the housing 12, allowingthe housing 12 to disassemble to create a smaller form factor, allowingfor easier transport.

A strap 19 is affixed to the housing 12 at the open upper end 13,wherein the strap is configured to extend about an arm of a user toremovably secure the housing 12 to the user. The strap 19 is positionedon an opposite end of the housing 12 from the grip 18, such that theuser can maximize the torque used to swing the club, thereby providingincreased power to the swing. In this way, the strap 19 providesstability to the golf club during a swing by increasing the points ofcontact with a user across the length of the housing 12. This preventsthe golf club from rotating about the grip 18 when the golf club isswung, effectively simulating the effect of a second hand on the handle.In the illustrated embodiment, the strap is affixed to the housing 12 onopposing ends of the opening 21, such that the handle of a golf club canbe inserted therethrough. In some embodiments, the strap 19 isadjustable in length to allow the strap 19 to secure about a variety ofusers. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap 19 is adjustable via abuckle system, however alternate known methods of length adjustabilityare contemplated, such as fasteners disposed along the length of thestrap 19.

In the illustrated embodiment, the golf club attachment 11 furthercomprises a shroud 22 affixed to the housing 12 at the open upper end13, wherein an interior surface (shown in FIG. 2, 23) of the shroud 22is configured to rest flush against the arm of a user. In this way, theshroud 22 provides greater control and stability to the user, as theshroud 22 increases the surface area in contact with the user, therebypreventing the arm of the user from sliding along the housing 12 duringa swing. In the illustrated embodiment, the shroud 22 comprises a curvedshape configured to conform to the shape of a user's arm, therebypreventing the housing 12 from rotating about the handle during a swing.In some embodiments, the shroud 22 curved such that the shroud 22removably secures to the arm of a user via snap fit. In the illustratedembodiment, the shroud 22 tapers from a top end 24 of the shroud 22towards a bottom end 25 of the shroud 22. In this way, the size andweight of the shroud is minimized, allowing easier transportation,storage, and use, while simultaneously preserving the functionalstability provided by the shroud 22. Furthermore, the tapered shroud 22increases user mobility about the wrist such that movement of the armcaused by flexing the wrist is not hindered by the shroud 22.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the golf club attachment affixed to a golf club. In theillustrated embodiment, the housing 12 is removably secured about thehandle 17 of a golf club 29. The handle 17 extends through the openupper end 13 and the open lower end 14, allowing the housing 12 toencompass the handle 17 therein. Additionally, standard golf clubhandles 17 comprise a greater diameter at an end thereof, such that thehousing 12 is prevented from sliding along the handle 17 when exposed tothe centrifugal forces of a swing. The housing 12 is positioned on thegolf club 29 such that a face of the golf club 29 is facing thedirection of the swing, such that the housing 12 can be secured to thegolf club 29 for either left-handed or right-handed golfers. In theillustrated embodiment, the housing 12 is positioned such that aninterior surface 23 of the shroud 22 is facing a direction perpendicularto the swing. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior surface 23further comprises a padded surface to provide increased comfort to auser.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the golf club attachment in use. In one exemplary use, thehousing 12 is removably secured about the handle of the golf club 29.The housing is positioned such that the grip 18 extends along a planeparallel to a plane of the face of the golf club 29, such that the faceof the golf club 29 is correctly positioned during a swing. The userthen grasps the grip 18 and removably secures the strap 19 about the arm20 of the user to removably secure the housing to the user. In someembodiments, the arm 20 is placed within the shroud such that theinterior surface rests flush against the arm 20. The user then alignsthe golf club 29 with a ball, and swings the arm 20 such that the faceof the golf club 29 contacts the ball.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, thatdepartures may be made within the scope of the invention and thatobvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. Withrespect to the above description then, it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1) A golf club attachment, comprising: a housing having an open upperend, an open lower end, and at least one sidewall extending therebetweendefining an interior volume; wherein the interior volume is configuredto receive a handle of a golf club therein; a grip affixed to thehousing, wherein the grip extends perpendicularly away from the housingat the open lower end; a strap affixed to the housing at the open upperend; wherein the strap is configured to removably secure the housing toan arm of a user. 2) The golf club attachment of claim 1, furthercomprising an opening disposed on the sidewall, wherein the openingextends from the open upper end to the open lower end and is configuredto receive the handle of the golf club therethrough. 3) The golf clubattachment of claim 2, wherein the opening is disposed opposite thegrip. 4) The golf club attachment of claim 2, wherein the housingcomprises a C-shaped member, wherein the housing is configured toremovably secure the handle of the golf club therein via friction fit.5) The golf club attachment of claim 1, further comprising a shroudaffixed to the housing at the open upper end of the housing, wherein aninterior surface of the shroud is configured to rest flush against thearm of the user. 6) The golf club attachment of claim 5, wherein theshroud comprises a curved shape configured to conform about the arm ofthe user. 7) The golf club attachment of claim 5, wherein the shroudtapers from a top end of the shroud towards a bottom end of the shroud.8) The golf club attachment of claim 5, wherein the interior surfacecomprises padding. 9) The golf club attachment of claim 1, wherein thestrap is adjustable in length. 10) The golf club attachment of claim 1,wherein the grip tapers from a distal end thereof towards a proximal endthereof. 11) The golf club attachment of claim 1, wherein the gripcomprises a material having a coefficient of friction greater than one.12) The golf club attachment of claim 1, wherein the grip comprises acushioned surface thereon.